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Denmark Diaries

Cafe Støj in Aarhus + Jazzy Days Festival, Tversted, October 2024

Jo Harrop poster at Tversted. Photo credit Lars Morch

What makes Denmark so special…I’d say, that it is the people!” Vocalist Jo Harrop has just enjoyed a trip to Denmark for the Jazzy Days Festival. She writes:

I was invited over to play in Denmark at a festival in Tversted, called ‘Jazzy Days’ which is remarkably in its 26th year, and run by a wonderful musician, Hammond organ player Niels Ole Sørenson.

I’d only ever visited Copenhagen for a studio session with Kid Creole, about 4 years ago, and stayed one night, and I had a whirlwind walk around the city, so Denmark was a bit of a new adventure for me.

How this came about, was that a family friend, Denise Thigpen, (daughter of renowned jazz drummer ‘Mr Taste’ Ed Thigpen), began talking a little about potential gigs out in Denmark, pre covid.
Denise is an incredibly passionate lady when it come to the music scene, and very well organised, and she asked if I would be interested to play at this festival, as well as a smaller venue the night before in Aarhus.

I am always up for traveling to new places and meeting new people, and singing to new audiences, so I said that I’d absolutely be thrilled to go across and play. I took my pianist and co-writing partner Paul Edis over with me, and we hooked up with two of Denise’s great musical contacts, bassist Torben Bjornskov and drummer, Kristian Leth.

L-R: Torben Bjornskov, Kristian Leth, Jo Harrop, Paul Edis. Photo Lars Morch



I sent them the music in advance, we had a small rehearsal on the day, before we played at the absolutely divine, Cafe Støj in Aarhus, to a full, warm house, who welcomed us with open arms.

The musicianship was stellar and everything was impeccably organised and went so very smoothly, thanks to Denise and also Kristian, who did all the airport runs and drove us around, both making sure that we always had food and wine in between playing. (The festival even made 90% of the food vegan for my benefit!!)

Tversted Jazzy Days was simply amazing.

When we pulled up to the venue of Klit Garden, the poster had a huge photo of my face, wearing my trademark hat, and a warm welcome awaited us inside.
The sound in the room was brilliant and effortless, and we were lavished with wine and delicious food, and surrounded by so many people.

The band playing after us were marvellous (Balthazars Karraffel) and the following night Dave Weckl was the headliner.

We stayed up until 3 talking about music and life, I could have stayed longer if we didn’t have a 7 am flight call the next day. I have to apologise to Ide, one of the volunteers, who I organised to meet for a morning swim at 6:15 am – and I didn’t quite manage!

Well, what makes Denmark so special, apart from the efficiency, the clean streets, the clear roads, the Danish pastries (Paul had a few) the wonderful festivals and venues and the beautiful bakeries?
I’d say, that it is the people!

The people are kind, polite and warm, gentle and up for fun. They clapped and stood up to sing along with us, cheered and chanted for encores, and wanted signed merchandise and selfies, and I am pretty sure that we will return there as soon as we possibly can.

Jo Harrop and Denise Thigpen, Photo Lars Morch

Thank you so very much to Denise Thigpen, who travelled for 6 hours to get to the festival at Tversted to see us. What an amazing lady she is.

I left Denmark with a full heart and some new friends and I cannot wait until the next time. Thank you Denmark! 

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